The USDA has awarded a $650,000 grant to West Lafayette-based NutraMaize, which has developed nutritionally enhanced orange corn. The company said the grant will be used to demonstrate the benefits of feeding its orange corn to poultry on a commercial scale.... Read More
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has awarded 56 farming families with the Hoosier Homestead Award. The honor recognizes farms that are owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years.... Read More
The CEO of Oregon-based Entek says the company has eyes on continued growth in the Wabash Valley. Larry Keith says the growing demand for batteries, particularly in the EV industry, creates "a tremendous amount of growth opportunity for us beyond this."... Read More
A renewable energy producer in White County is cutting the ribbon on it calls one of the world's largest on-farm biodigester facilities. BioTown Biogas says the facility takes agricultural waste and processes it into renewable natural gas and electric power.... Read More
A bill that seeks to propel Indiana’s ongoing carbon sequestration pilot project was approved Tuesday by lawmakers in the House, signaling momentum for what has so far been a divisive measure. Senate Bill 451 is part of a years-long effort to move forward the construction of carbon capture and sequestration projects.... Read More
Ag-tech startup Athian expects to close a $5 million round of seed funding by the end of the month. Athian also expects this month to begin beta testing its first software product—a platform to help dairy farmers measure, verify and monetize their carbon-reduction efforts. ... Read More
Indianapolis-based Corteva Agriscience (NYSE: CTVA) is collaborating with agribusiness company Bunge Ltd. (NYSE: BG) and Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) to produce renewable fuels from canola crops. They unveiled a proprietary winter canola hybrid, developed by Corteva, that can be grown as a cover crop, after soybeans are harvested.... Read More
The results of a new study commissioned by AgriNovus Indiana, an initiative to grow the state’s agbioscience economy, show the economic impact of the agbioscience sector has undergone substantial growth in recent years. “Extraordinary. Historic, by definition,” touted Mitch Frazier, president and CEO of AgriNovus. ... Read More
Jasper-based MasterBrand Cabinets is the highest-ranked Hoosier company, coming in No. 3 overall. FDMC says the company generated an estimated $3.3 billion in 2022 sales volume. System-wide, it employs 14,000 people and operates 20 plants throughout the U.S. and Mexico. Five of the plants are in Indiana.... Read More
The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index dipped five points in February as farmers expressed concern about higher costs for the upcoming planting season, shrinking confidence in future growth of U.S. agricultural exports, and weakening farmland values. ... Read More
An ag-tech startup in central Indiana has closed on a pre-seed funding round to advance its genetic development technology. Insignum AgTech, based in Atlanta, has created a process that allows plants to use their pigment to communicate health problems.... Read More
Many rustic barns that symbolize Indiana’s agrarian roots are falling into disrepair, but for those structures still standing, it’s time to salute their longevity. Indiana Landmarks and Indiana Farm Bureau are seeking nominations for the 2023 John Arnold Award for Rural Preservation. ... Read More
The newly-named director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture says disappearing farmland as a result of economic development can be a difficult conversation. Some see the sale of farmland as a loss of heritage, while others see the potential upside, such as job creation. Don Lamb, who is a second-generation farmer from Boone County, says having those discussions is essential.... Read More
A second-generation farmer from Boone County has been named the new executive director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. Don Lamb succeeds Bruce Kettler, who stepped down from the post in January to lead the Agribusiness Council of Indiana.... Read More
The Indiana Soybean Alliance says a new partnership with Illinois-based nonprofit Cutting Edge Curriculum will help Indiana’s middle-school teachers teach agriculture. Cutting Edge developed a variety of online, educational programs in a variety of fields, such as ag education, family and consumer sciences, and industrial technology.... Read More
The CEO of Evansville-based agbioscience startup Anu says a recently-awarded $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation will allow the company to continue research and development for “a new” way to sustainably grow produce in your own kitchen. ... Read More
The co-CEOs of North Manchester-based MPS Egg Farms say several factors went into the decision to acquire its first operation in the southeast United States. The company purchased Country Charm Eggs in Georgia, which produces about 600 million eggs annually.... Read More
A sixth-generation family egg producer in northeast Indiana is continuing with its growth plans. MPS Egg Farms, based in North Manchester, has acquired Country Charm Eggs in Georgia, marking the company's first foray into the southeastern U.S. ... Read More
Purdue University has announced plans to construct a pilot-scale aquaponics system on campus to produce tilapia and lettuce. The university has received a five-year, $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help cover some of the costs.... Read More
The results of a monthly survey conducted by the Purdue University’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability show food costs are up 19% from a year ago. However, the Consumer Food Insights Report shows shoppers are taking steps to keep their food budgets in check... Read More
